Biography
GQ, an American R&B group formed in The Bronx, New York, began as Sabu & the Survivors in 1968, evolving into The Rhythm Makers in the 1970s with a focus on funk music. The core lineup included vocalist and rhythm guitarist Emanuel Rahiem LeBlanc, bassist Keith 'Sabu' Crier, keyboardist Herb Lane, and drummer Kenny Banks, who released the album Soul On Your Side in 1976 on Vigor Records, featuring the international dance hit 'Zone'.[1][2][4] In 1978, with Banks replaced by Paul Service and at the suggestion of their manager, the group rebranded as GQ—standing for 'Good Quality'—and signed with Arista Records, shifting to a disco-influenced sound that defined their peak success.[1][2]
Their 1979 debut album Disco Nights produced the massive hit 'Disco Nights (Rock-Freak)', a reworked version of 'Soul On Your Side', which topped the R&B chart for two weeks, reached #3 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart, #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, and sold over one million copies in the US.[1][2][4] Follow-ups like the Billy Stewart remake 'I Do Love You' (#20 on the Hot 100) fueled their rise, alongside albums Two (1980) and Face to Face (1982). Drummer Paul Service was replaced by Stevie 'Beatz' Adorno after a 1980 car accident wrist injury, with Adorno performing until 2010.[1][3] The group's career waned with the decline of disco, effectively ending by 1982, though LeBlanc continued as Mr. Q, releasing solo albums like Always Be Around (1991, Capitol) and A Tribute to Marvin Gaye and Billy Stewart (1999), and touring with GQ configurations, including a 2017 release The Mr Q Project.[1][2][3]
GQ's musical style blended funk, R&B, soul, and post-disco, built on years of New York gigging, earning a lasting legacy among funk and disco enthusiasts despite their short commercial peak. Their music has been sampled in hip-hop, and while Crier passed away in 2013 at age 58, LeBlanc remains active as the group's enduring frontman.[1][2]
Fun Facts
- GQ stands for 'Good Quality', a name suggested by their manager in 1978 during the rebrand from The Rhythm Makers.[1][2]
- Their hit 'Disco Nights (Rock-Freak)' was a reworked version of The Rhythm Makers' title track 'Soul On Your Side' from 1976.[1][2]
- A persistent rumor claimed R&B star Keith Sweat was a GQ member, but he was born in 1961 and only 7 years old when the group formed in 1968.[1][3]
- Drummer Paul Service appears with an arm cast on the cover of GQ's final album Face to Face due to a 1980 car accident wrist fracture.[1][3]
Musical Connections
Key Collaborators
- Keith 'Sabu' Crier - bassist and vocals, founding member from Sabu & the Survivors through GQ (Soul On Your Side (1976), Disco Nights (1979), Two (1980), Face to Face (1982)) [1968-1982 (died 2013)]
- Herb Lane - keyboardist and vocals, core member of The Rhythm Makers and GQ (Soul On Your Side (1976), Disco Nights (1979)) [1970s]
- Kenny Banks - original drummer and vocals for The Rhythm Makers (Soul On Your Side (1976)) [1968-1978]
- Paul Service - drummer replacing Banks, performed until car accident (Disco Nights (1979), Two (1980)) [1978-1980]
- Stevie 'Beatz' Adorno - drummer replacing Service after 1980 injury, band leader (Face to Face (1982), tours) [1980-2010]
- Kevin Zambrana - percussionist, later associate to Mr. Q (GQ performances, ZPI Productions) [1970s-ongoing]
Connection Network
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
G.Q. has been played 4 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | 14:15 | I DO LOVE YOUfrom G.Q. | Bluesw/ DJ Giant | |
| Nov 3, 2025 | 01:57 | Redemption Songfrom MSQ Performs Bob Marley | The Dean's Listw/ Dean Ellis | |
| Nov 3, 2025 | 01:33 | November Rain | The Dean's Listw/ Dean Ellis | |
| Oct 27, 2025 | 01:28 | It's The End of the World as We Know It and I Feel Finefrom V.S.Q. Performs R.E.M. | The Dean's Listw/ Dean Ellis |